Southeastern Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and their breeding grounds : distribution and habitat preference of singers and social groups off the coast of Ecuador
Abstract
Understanding the distribution, habitat preference and social structure of highly migratory species at important life history stages (e.g., breeding and calving) is essential for conservation efforts. We investigated the spatial distribution and habitat preference of humpback whale social groups and singers, in relation to depth categories (<20 m, 20–50 m, and >50 m) and substrate type (muddy and mixed) on a coastal southeastern Pacific breeding ground. One hundred and forty-three acoustic stations and 304 visual sightings were made at the breeding ground off the coast of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Spatial autocorrelation analysis suggested singers were not randomly distributed, and Neu’s method and Monte Carlo simulations indicated that singers frequented depths of <20 m and mixed substrate. Singletons, and groups with a calf displayed a preference for shallower waters (0–20 m), while pairs and groups with a calf primarily inhabited mixed bottom substrates. In contrast, competitive groups showed no clear habitat preference and exhibited social segregation from other whales. Understanding the habitat preference and distribution of humpback whales on breeding and calving grounds vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance provides important baseline information that should be incorporated into conservation efforts at a regional scale.
Citation
Oña , J , Garland , E C & Denkinger , J 2017 , ' Southeastern Pacific humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) and their breeding grounds : distribution and habitat preference of singers and social groups off the coast of Ecuador ' , Marine Mammal Science , vol. 33 , no. 1 , pp. 219-235 . https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12365
Publication
Marine Mammal Science
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0824-0469Type
Journal article
Description
The study was supported by a Rufford Small Grant, ECG. is currently funded by a Royal Society Newton International Fellowship; part of this work was completed while ECG was funded by a National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, AFSC, NMFS, NOAA.Collections
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